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Russ Roberts (https://hawaiisciencejournal.blogspot.com).
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ScienceDaily: Environment - January 10, 2025
Top environment research news
Elderberry juice shows benefits for weight management, metabolic health
Elderberry juice may be a potent tool for weight management and enhancing metabolic health, according to a recent study. A clinical trial found that drinking 12 ounces of elderberry juice daily for a week causes positive changes in the gut microbiome and improves glucose tolerance and fat oxidation.
Madeleine Steinbach/Shutterstock.com
Rapid return of water from ground to atmosphere through plants
A new study provides the first comprehensive global estimates of the amount of water stored in Earth's plants and the amount of time it takes for that water to flow through them. The information is a missing piece of the puzzle in understanding the global water cycle and how that cycle is being altered by changes in land use and climate.
Pet dogs often overlooked as spreader of antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella
Antibiotic-resistant Salmonella is a serious public health concern that has increased in recent years as the bacteria have developed ways to survive drugs. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people can get Salmonella from eating contaminated food products or from infected people or animals -- typically via unintentional contact with feces via touching hands or stroking a pet. However, researchers have found that household dogs are an overlooked transmission point for zoonotic pathogens such as nontyphoidal Salmonella, which can cause diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps, with some infections potentially having life-threatening complications.
Storing carbon in buildings could help address climate change
Construction materials such as concrete and plastic have the potential to lock away billions of tons of carbon dioxide, according to a new study by civil engineers and earth systems scientists. The study shows that combined with steps to decarbonize the economy, storing CO2 in buildings could help the world achieve goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers use lab data to rewrite equation for deformation, flow of watery glacier ice
Laboratory experiments designed to deform ice at its pressure-melting temperature were like grabbing a bagel at the top and the bottom, then twisting the two halves to smear the cream cheese in the middle, according to new research. The resulting data could lead to more accurate models of temperate glacier ice and better predictions of glacier flow and sea-level rise.
Realistic emission tests for motorbikes, mopeds and quads
Researchers have developed new measurement techniques and methods to measure emissions from category-L vehicles in realistic operation and to determine corresponding limit values.
Nearly 30,000 wild species identified in US trade data
International research has found almost 30,000 wild species have been traded in the United States, according to data captured by US wildlife trade monitoring organization Law Enforcement Manage Information System.
Electric fungi: The biobattery that needs to be fed
A battery that needs feeding instead of charging? This is exactly what researchers have achieved with their 3D-printed, biodegradable fungal battery. The living battery could supply power to sensors for agriculture or research in remote regions. Once the work is done, it digests itself from the inside.
States struggle to curb food waste despite policies
Current state policies aren't enough to curb food waste. Study shows states are falling short of the reduction goals set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Floods, droughts, then fires: Hydroclimate whiplash is speeding up globally
Hydroclimate whiplash -- rapid swings between intensely wet and dangerously dry weather -- has already increased globally due to climate change, with further large increases expected as warming continues, according to a team of researchers.
Physical signals as fate deciders: How mechanical forces extrude cells from tissues
Epithelial tissues are in constant interaction with their environment. Maintaining their functionality requires dynamic balance (homeostasis) and that their cell numbers are tightly regulated. This is achieved by cell extrusion programs, a checkpoint mechanism eliminating unwanted or harmful cells. Researchers have now demonstrated how physical signals can have an impact on the fate of extruding cells governing their death or survival. The results may establish novel paths for understanding tissue properties in both normal and pathological conditions.
An earful of gill: Evolutionary origin of the mammalian outer ear
A recent study has uncovered the surprising evolutionary origin of the mammalian outer ear, linking it to the gills of ancient fish and marine invertebrates. The research reveals that both structures are composed of elastic cartilage and shares gene control elements that hint at their connection. This finding sheds new light on the evolution of the mammalian ear, highlighting how structures can transform over time to serve new functions.
Two-in-one root armor protects plants from environmental stressors and fights climate change
Scientists have created the first single cell genomic atlas of mature plants' outer armor layer, called the periderm, and its carbon-capturing phellem cells. The findings will be useful in creating more robust, climate change-fighting plants.
The extreme teeth of sabre-toothed predators were 'optimal' for biting into prey
Sabre-toothed predators -- best know from the infamous Smilodon -- evolved multiple times across different mammal groups. A new study reveals why: these teeth were 'functionally optimal' and highly effective at puncturing prey.
Why do birds make so many different sounds? A study gets at the underlying factors
Researchers conducted a global study of the factors that influence bird sounds, using more than 100,000 audio recordings from around the world.
Mediterranean sharks continue to decline despite conservation progress
New research has found more than 200 measures to protect sharks and rays across the 22 coastal states of the Mediterranean region. However, while elasmobranchs have made it onto many policy agendas, the study found considerable differences in how effectively any legislation was being monitored with no single source for tracking progress in the conservation and management of sharks at national levels.
Rethinking population management in zoos
Until now, contraception has been the method of choice for zoos to avoid surplus animals. Researchers are now calling for a paradigm shift: zoos could preserve their breeding populations, raise awareness of conservation challenges and improve animal welfare and their carbon footprint by allowing animals to reproduce naturally and culling surplus animals.
Climate change linked with worse HIV prevention and care
Researchers analyzed 22 recent studies exploring HIV-related outcomes in the context of climate change and identified several links between extreme weather events and HIV prevention and care.
Scientists have conducted a pioneering study on the benefits of intermittent fasting. Not eating anything from 5 p.m. until 9 a.m. the following day (early fasting) helps to a greater extent to improve blood sugar regulation and reduce abdominal subcutaneous fat, i.e. the fat just under the skin.
An academic has used drone mapping to investigate a 3000-year-old 'mega fortress' in the Caucasus mountains, revealing details that re-shape understanding of the site and contribute to a global reassessment of ancient settlement growth and urbanism.
Evolutionary biology: Ants can hold a grudge
Evolutionary biologists are investigating the extent to which ants learn from past experiences. After being attacked by ants from a particular nest, ants behave more aggressively towards others from that same nest.
Study identifies coastal black pine trees resistant to tsunamis and strong winds
Researchers have found that the taller the Japanese black pine trees (Pinus thunbergii) along the coast, the deeper their roots penetrate the ground. Deeper roots make trees more resistant to damage from tsunamis and strong winds. Their findings suggest that the resilience of coastal P. thunbergii trees may be improved by inducing deep root growth, specifically in short trees.
Scorching climate drove lampreys apart during cretaceous period
A new study finds that one of the hottest periods in Earth's history may have driven lampreys apart -- genetically speaking. The work could have implications for how aquatic species respond to our current changing climate.
Exposure to aircraft noise linked to worse heart function
People who live close to airports and are exposed to high aircraft noise levels could be at greater risk of poor heart function, increasing the likelihood of heart attacks, life-threatening heart rhythms and strokes, according to a new study.
Plant cells gain immune capabilities when it's time to fight disease
Scientists have created a new atlas of plant cells during immune response, in turn discovering a new rare cell state, called Primary IMmunE Responder (PRIMER), that acts as an immune response hub to initiate defense strategy throughout plants. The publicly available database offers insight into the plant immune response -- an urgent task in the face of climate change growing antimicrobial resistance.
New AI predicts inner workings of cells
In the same way that ChatGPT understands human language, a new AI model developed by computational biologists captures the language of cells to accurately predict their activities.
Scientists uncover key step in how diazotrophs 'fix' nitrogen
Nitrogen is an essential component in the production of amino acids and nucleic acids -- both necessary for cell growth and function. Atmospheric nitrogen must first be converted, or 'fixed,' into a form that can be used by plants, often as ammonia. There are only two ways of fixing nitrogen, one industrial and one biological.
A new study reveals that generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help expedite the search for solutions to reduce enteric methane emissions caused by cows in animal agriculture, which accounts for about 33 percent of U.S. agriculture and 3 percent of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.
Explorations of wheat stem sawfly management
Students researched sawfly biocontrols and the use of remote sensing to model infestation in fields.
Blueberries beware: Powdery mildew spreading across the globe
Research on fungus spread could help growers predict, monitor and control powdery mildew disease affecting blueberries.
Discovery of 'Punk' and 'Emo' fossils challenges our understanding of ancient molluscs
Researchers have unearthed two fossils, named Punk and Emo, revealing that ancient molluscs were more complex and adaptable than previously known.
Herbivore or carnivore? A toolbox for the study of extinct reptiles
Evolution has resulted in the development of both herbivores and carnivores -- but how? What type of food did extinct vertebrates eat? And how can we gain insight into the diets of these creatures? In living animals, we can simply observe what they feed on today. In the case of extinct species, however, researchers rely on morphological or chemical information supplied by fossils. A team has now compiled a reference framework of isotope compositions indicating the type of diet for extant reptiles that represents a useful reference dataset to reconstruct the diet of fossil reptiles.
Tiny microbe colonies communicate to coordinate their behavior
A new study reveals evidence of electrical signaling and coordinated behavior in choanoflagellates, the closest living relatives of animals. This elaborate example of cell communication offers key insights into the early evolution of animal multicellularity and nervous systems.
Cell-based therapy improves outcomes in a pig model of heart attacks
In a large-animal model study, researchers have found that heart attack recovery is aided by injection of heart muscle cell spheroids derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells, or hiPSCs, that overexpress cyclin D2 and are knocked out for human leukocyte antigen classes I and II. This research used a pig model of heart attacks.
DNA adds new chapter to Indonesia's layered human history
A new study has outlined the first genomic evidence of early migration from New Guinea into the Wallacea, an archipelago containing Timor-Leste and hundreds of inhabited eastern Indonesian islands.
A newly described dinosaur whose fossils were recently uncovered is challenging the existing narrative, with evidence that the reptiles were present in the northern hemisphere millions of years earlier than previously known.
Fishy business: Male medaka mating limits revealed
Researchers have uncovered a daily mating capacity for medaka, providing important insights into the relationship between the cost of gamete production and sexual selection.
Morning coffee may protect the heart better than all-day coffee drinking
People who drink coffee in the morning have a lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease and a lower overall mortality risk compared to all-day coffee drinkers, according to new research.
How our cells dispose of waste and ways to control it
Cells degrade components that are no longer needed through autophagy. New results show that a weak molecular interaction is essential for this process. By modifying this interaction, it is possible to artificially trigger autophagy, which could then enable the degradation of deposits in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, or support cancer therapies.
New research reveals groundwater pathways across continent
Researchers have created a simulation that maps underground water on a continental scale. The result of three years' work studying groundwater from coast to coast, the findings plot the unseen path that each raindrop or melted snowflake takes before reemerging in freshwater streams, following water from land surface to depths far below and back up again, emerging up to 100 miles away, after spending from 10 to 100,000 years underground.
Integrating historic data stands to improve climate models in the Global South
Researchers have devised a way to improve the accuracy of climate change models for the Global South by integrating historical records kept by missionaries and other visitors.
Earth's air war: Explaining the delayed rise of plants, animals on land
If you like the smell of spring roses, the sounds of summer birdsong, and the colors of fall foliage, you have the stabilization of the ozone layer to thank for it. Located in the stratosphere, where it shields the Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation, the ozone layer plays a key role in preserving the planet's biodiversity. And now we may have a better idea of why that took so long -- more than 2 billion years -- to happen. According to a new study, Earth's early atmosphere hosted a 'battle royale' between iodine and oxygen -- effectively delaying the creation of a stable ozone layer that would shield complex life from much of the sun's ultraviolet radiation (UVR). The new theory may solve a mystery that has puzzled scientists for hundreds of years.
Smart food drying techniques with AI enhance product quality and efficiency
Food drying is a common process for preserving many types of food, including fruits and meat; however, drying can alter the food's quality and nutritional value. In recent years, researchers have developed precision techniques that use optical sensors and AI to facilitate more efficient drying. A new study discusses three emerging smart drying techniques, providing practical information for the food industry.
Trash to treasure: Leveraging industrial waste to store energy
As more products begin to depend on battery-based energy storage systems, shifting away from metal-based solutions will be critical to facilitating the green energy transition. Now, a team has transformed an organic industrial-scale waste product into an efficient storage agent for sustainable energy solutions that can one day be applied at much larger scales.
Pluto-Charon formation scenario mimics Earth-Moon system
A researcher has used advanced models that indicate that the formation of Pluto and Charon may parallel that of the Earth-Moon system. Both systems include a moon that is a large fraction of the size of the main body, unlike other moons in the solar system. The scenario also could support Pluto's active geology and possible subsurface ocean, despite its location at the frozen edge of the solar system.
Scientists advance nanobody technology to combat deadly Ebola virus
Ebola virus, one of the deadliest pathogens, has a fatality rate of about 50%, posing a serious threat to global health and safety. To address this challenge, researchers have developed the first nanobody-based inhibitors targeting the Ebola virus.
Canceling effect of genetics and environmental changes on bacterial growth
Researchers conducted a high-throughput growth assay and machine learning to address the genetic and environmental interplay on bacterial growth. The findings indicated that the environmental chemicals affecting growth have varying impacts, depending on the amount of sugar present. Moreover, the research team demonstrated that the changes in growth caused by the genetic and environmental changes offset each other.
Key and lock: How important proteins 'dock' to the centromere
The centromere of chromosomes plays a crucial role in cell division. Using the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, an international team of researchers has investigated how two crucial proteins -- KNL2 and CENP-C -- dock to the centromere -- components which play a central role in this process.
Reducing irrigation for livestock feed crops is needed to save Great Salt Lake, study argues
The Great Salt Lake has lost more than 15 billion cubic yards of water over the past three decades, is getting shallower at the rate of 4 inches a year, and an analysis of its water budget suggests reducing irrigation is necessary for saving it.
Method can detect harmful salts forming in nuclear waste melters
A new way to identify salts in nuclear waste melters could help improve clean-up technology, including at the Hanford Site, one of the largest, most complex nuclear waste clean-up sites in the world. Researchers used two detectors to find thin layers of sulfate, chloride and fluoride salts during vitrification, a nuclear waste storage process that involves converting the waste into glass. The formation of salts can be problematic for waste processing and storage.
Exploring the eco-friendly future of antibiotic particles
Goji berries are a ubiquitous superfood known for a multitude of health benefits, including their antibiotic properties. Researchers have now found an effective way to harvest silver nanoparticles from these berries. They created the nanoparticles by drying, grinding, and then filtering the goji berries to create an extract. Then, they added chemical silver nitrate (AgNO3) and reduced the solution. The silver nanoparticles were confirmed using visualization techniques and tested for their antimicrobial activity.
Drug-resistant hookworms put pets and people at risk
Canine hookworms are becoming increasingly resistant to drugs across Australia, according to new research. Scientists have identified widespread resistance to benzimidazole-based dewormers which are commonly used to treat gastrointestinal parasites in dogs.
Ice patches on Beartooth Plateau reveal how ancient landscape differed from today's
Scientists say the frozen remnants of an ancient forest discovered 600 feet above the modern tree line on the Beartooth Plateau may portend possible changes for the alpine ecosystem if the climate continues to warm.
These 11 genes may help us better understand forever chemicals' effects on the brain
A new study has identified 11 genes that may hold the key to understanding the brain's response to these pervasive chemicals commonly found in everyday items.
Microplastics widespread in seafood people eat
The tiny particles that shed from clothing, packaging and other plastic products are winding up in the fish that people eat, highlighting a need for technologies and strategies to reduce microfiber pollution entering the environment.
Lead pollution likely caused widespread IQ declines in ancient Rome, new study finds
Lead exposure is responsible for a range of human health impacts, with even relatively low levels impacting the cognitive development of children. Scientists have previously used atmospheric pollution records preserved in Arctic ice cores to identify periods of lead pollution throughout the Roman Empire, and now new research expands on this finding to identify how this pollution may have affected the European population.
Efforts to reduce kids' screen time weakened by unequal access to green space
When children have a place to play outside, programs aimed at reducing their screen time use are more successful.
How we classify flood risk may give developers, home buyers a false sense of security
Traditional methods of communicating how likely an area is to flood focus on designating which zones are 'high risk.' This study suggests that this framing may give developers and homeowners a false sense of security when settling directly outside of 'high risk' zones, believing them to be safe. This phenomenon is known as the 'safe development paradox,' and results in an over-concentration of development right next to areas most likely to flood.
Climate change is accelerating forest defoliation by helping invasive species spread
Computer models predict that hotter, drier conditions in North America will limit the growth of a fungus that normally curbs the spread of the spongy moth, an invasive species that has caused millions of dollars in damage to forests.
A new way to determine whether a species will successfully invade an ecosystem
A formula can be used to predict what happens when a new species is introduced into an ecosystem -- whether it will establish itself in the community or fail to gain a foothold and die out.
Elderberry juice shows benefits for weight management, metabolic health
Elderberry juice may be a potent tool for weight management and enhancing metabolic health, according to a recent study. A clinical trial found that drinking 12 ounces of elderberry juice daily for a week causes positive changes in the gut microbiome and improves glucose tolerance and fat oxidation.
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Rapid return of water from ground to atmosphere through plants
A new study provides the first comprehensive global estimates of the amount of water stored in Earth's plants and the amount of time it takes for that water to flow through them. The information is a missing piece of the puzzle in understanding the global water cycle and how that cycle is being altered by changes in land use and climate.
Pet dogs often overlooked as spreader of antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella
Antibiotic-resistant Salmonella is a serious public health concern that has increased in recent years as the bacteria have developed ways to survive drugs. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people can get Salmonella from eating contaminated food products or from infected people or animals -- typically via unintentional contact with feces via touching hands or stroking a pet. However, researchers have found that household dogs are an overlooked transmission point for zoonotic pathogens such as nontyphoidal Salmonella, which can cause diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps, with some infections potentially having life-threatening complications.
Storing carbon in buildings could help address climate change
Construction materials such as concrete and plastic have the potential to lock away billions of tons of carbon dioxide, according to a new study by civil engineers and earth systems scientists. The study shows that combined with steps to decarbonize the economy, storing CO2 in buildings could help the world achieve goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers use lab data to rewrite equation for deformation, flow of watery glacier ice
Laboratory experiments designed to deform ice at its pressure-melting temperature were like grabbing a bagel at the top and the bottom, then twisting the two halves to smear the cream cheese in the middle, according to new research. The resulting data could lead to more accurate models of temperate glacier ice and better predictions of glacier flow and sea-level rise.
Realistic emission tests for motorbikes, mopeds and quads
Researchers have developed new measurement techniques and methods to measure emissions from category-L vehicles in realistic operation and to determine corresponding limit values.
Nearly 30,000 wild species identified in US trade data
International research has found almost 30,000 wild species have been traded in the United States, according to data captured by US wildlife trade monitoring organization Law Enforcement Manage Information System.
Electric fungi: The biobattery that needs to be fed
A battery that needs feeding instead of charging? This is exactly what researchers have achieved with their 3D-printed, biodegradable fungal battery. The living battery could supply power to sensors for agriculture or research in remote regions. Once the work is done, it digests itself from the inside.
States struggle to curb food waste despite policies
Current state policies aren't enough to curb food waste. Study shows states are falling short of the reduction goals set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Floods, droughts, then fires: Hydroclimate whiplash is speeding up globally
Hydroclimate whiplash -- rapid swings between intensely wet and dangerously dry weather -- has already increased globally due to climate change, with further large increases expected as warming continues, according to a team of researchers.
Physical signals as fate deciders: How mechanical forces extrude cells from tissues
Epithelial tissues are in constant interaction with their environment. Maintaining their functionality requires dynamic balance (homeostasis) and that their cell numbers are tightly regulated. This is achieved by cell extrusion programs, a checkpoint mechanism eliminating unwanted or harmful cells. Researchers have now demonstrated how physical signals can have an impact on the fate of extruding cells governing their death or survival. The results may establish novel paths for understanding tissue properties in both normal and pathological conditions.
An earful of gill: Evolutionary origin of the mammalian outer ear
A recent study has uncovered the surprising evolutionary origin of the mammalian outer ear, linking it to the gills of ancient fish and marine invertebrates. The research reveals that both structures are composed of elastic cartilage and shares gene control elements that hint at their connection. This finding sheds new light on the evolution of the mammalian ear, highlighting how structures can transform over time to serve new functions.
Two-in-one root armor protects plants from environmental stressors and fights climate change
Scientists have created the first single cell genomic atlas of mature plants' outer armor layer, called the periderm, and its carbon-capturing phellem cells. The findings will be useful in creating more robust, climate change-fighting plants.
The extreme teeth of sabre-toothed predators were 'optimal' for biting into prey
Sabre-toothed predators -- best know from the infamous Smilodon -- evolved multiple times across different mammal groups. A new study reveals why: these teeth were 'functionally optimal' and highly effective at puncturing prey.
Why do birds make so many different sounds? A study gets at the underlying factors
Researchers conducted a global study of the factors that influence bird sounds, using more than 100,000 audio recordings from around the world.
Mediterranean sharks continue to decline despite conservation progress
New research has found more than 200 measures to protect sharks and rays across the 22 coastal states of the Mediterranean region. However, while elasmobranchs have made it onto many policy agendas, the study found considerable differences in how effectively any legislation was being monitored with no single source for tracking progress in the conservation and management of sharks at national levels.
Rethinking population management in zoos
Until now, contraception has been the method of choice for zoos to avoid surplus animals. Researchers are now calling for a paradigm shift: zoos could preserve their breeding populations, raise awareness of conservation challenges and improve animal welfare and their carbon footprint by allowing animals to reproduce naturally and culling surplus animals.
Climate change linked with worse HIV prevention and care
Researchers analyzed 22 recent studies exploring HIV-related outcomes in the context of climate change and identified several links between extreme weather events and HIV prevention and care.
Scientists have conducted a pioneering study on the benefits of intermittent fasting. Not eating anything from 5 p.m. until 9 a.m. the following day (early fasting) helps to a greater extent to improve blood sugar regulation and reduce abdominal subcutaneous fat, i.e. the fat just under the skin.
An academic has used drone mapping to investigate a 3000-year-old 'mega fortress' in the Caucasus mountains, revealing details that re-shape understanding of the site and contribute to a global reassessment of ancient settlement growth and urbanism.
Evolutionary biology: Ants can hold a grudge
Evolutionary biologists are investigating the extent to which ants learn from past experiences. After being attacked by ants from a particular nest, ants behave more aggressively towards others from that same nest.
Study identifies coastal black pine trees resistant to tsunamis and strong winds
Researchers have found that the taller the Japanese black pine trees (Pinus thunbergii) along the coast, the deeper their roots penetrate the ground. Deeper roots make trees more resistant to damage from tsunamis and strong winds. Their findings suggest that the resilience of coastal P. thunbergii trees may be improved by inducing deep root growth, specifically in short trees.
Scorching climate drove lampreys apart during cretaceous period
A new study finds that one of the hottest periods in Earth's history may have driven lampreys apart -- genetically speaking. The work could have implications for how aquatic species respond to our current changing climate.
Exposure to aircraft noise linked to worse heart function
People who live close to airports and are exposed to high aircraft noise levels could be at greater risk of poor heart function, increasing the likelihood of heart attacks, life-threatening heart rhythms and strokes, according to a new study.
Plant cells gain immune capabilities when it's time to fight disease
Scientists have created a new atlas of plant cells during immune response, in turn discovering a new rare cell state, called Primary IMmunE Responder (PRIMER), that acts as an immune response hub to initiate defense strategy throughout plants. The publicly available database offers insight into the plant immune response -- an urgent task in the face of climate change growing antimicrobial resistance.
New AI predicts inner workings of cells
In the same way that ChatGPT understands human language, a new AI model developed by computational biologists captures the language of cells to accurately predict their activities.
Scientists uncover key step in how diazotrophs 'fix' nitrogen
Nitrogen is an essential component in the production of amino acids and nucleic acids -- both necessary for cell growth and function. Atmospheric nitrogen must first be converted, or 'fixed,' into a form that can be used by plants, often as ammonia. There are only two ways of fixing nitrogen, one industrial and one biological.
A new study reveals that generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help expedite the search for solutions to reduce enteric methane emissions caused by cows in animal agriculture, which accounts for about 33 percent of U.S. agriculture and 3 percent of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.
Explorations of wheat stem sawfly management
Students researched sawfly biocontrols and the use of remote sensing to model infestation in fields.
Blueberries beware: Powdery mildew spreading across the globe
Research on fungus spread could help growers predict, monitor and control powdery mildew disease affecting blueberries.
Discovery of 'Punk' and 'Emo' fossils challenges our understanding of ancient molluscs
Researchers have unearthed two fossils, named Punk and Emo, revealing that ancient molluscs were more complex and adaptable than previously known.
Herbivore or carnivore? A toolbox for the study of extinct reptiles
Evolution has resulted in the development of both herbivores and carnivores -- but how? What type of food did extinct vertebrates eat? And how can we gain insight into the diets of these creatures? In living animals, we can simply observe what they feed on today. In the case of extinct species, however, researchers rely on morphological or chemical information supplied by fossils. A team has now compiled a reference framework of isotope compositions indicating the type of diet for extant reptiles that represents a useful reference dataset to reconstruct the diet of fossil reptiles.
Tiny microbe colonies communicate to coordinate their behavior
A new study reveals evidence of electrical signaling and coordinated behavior in choanoflagellates, the closest living relatives of animals. This elaborate example of cell communication offers key insights into the early evolution of animal multicellularity and nervous systems.
Cell-based therapy improves outcomes in a pig model of heart attacks
In a large-animal model study, researchers have found that heart attack recovery is aided by injection of heart muscle cell spheroids derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells, or hiPSCs, that overexpress cyclin D2 and are knocked out for human leukocyte antigen classes I and II. This research used a pig model of heart attacks.
DNA adds new chapter to Indonesia's layered human history
A new study has outlined the first genomic evidence of early migration from New Guinea into the Wallacea, an archipelago containing Timor-Leste and hundreds of inhabited eastern Indonesian islands.
A newly described dinosaur whose fossils were recently uncovered is challenging the existing narrative, with evidence that the reptiles were present in the northern hemisphere millions of years earlier than previously known.
Fishy business: Male medaka mating limits revealed
Researchers have uncovered a daily mating capacity for medaka, providing important insights into the relationship between the cost of gamete production and sexual selection.
Morning coffee may protect the heart better than all-day coffee drinking
People who drink coffee in the morning have a lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease and a lower overall mortality risk compared to all-day coffee drinkers, according to new research.
How our cells dispose of waste and ways to control it
Cells degrade components that are no longer needed through autophagy. New results show that a weak molecular interaction is essential for this process. By modifying this interaction, it is possible to artificially trigger autophagy, which could then enable the degradation of deposits in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, or support cancer therapies.
New research reveals groundwater pathways across continent
Researchers have created a simulation that maps underground water on a continental scale. The result of three years' work studying groundwater from coast to coast, the findings plot the unseen path that each raindrop or melted snowflake takes before reemerging in freshwater streams, following water from land surface to depths far below and back up again, emerging up to 100 miles away, after spending from 10 to 100,000 years underground.
Integrating historic data stands to improve climate models in the Global South
Researchers have devised a way to improve the accuracy of climate change models for the Global South by integrating historical records kept by missionaries and other visitors.
Earth's air war: Explaining the delayed rise of plants, animals on land
If you like the smell of spring roses, the sounds of summer birdsong, and the colors of fall foliage, you have the stabilization of the ozone layer to thank for it. Located in the stratosphere, where it shields the Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation, the ozone layer plays a key role in preserving the planet's biodiversity. And now we may have a better idea of why that took so long -- more than 2 billion years -- to happen. According to a new study, Earth's early atmosphere hosted a 'battle royale' between iodine and oxygen -- effectively delaying the creation of a stable ozone layer that would shield complex life from much of the sun's ultraviolet radiation (UVR). The new theory may solve a mystery that has puzzled scientists for hundreds of years.
Smart food drying techniques with AI enhance product quality and efficiency
Food drying is a common process for preserving many types of food, including fruits and meat; however, drying can alter the food's quality and nutritional value. In recent years, researchers have developed precision techniques that use optical sensors and AI to facilitate more efficient drying. A new study discusses three emerging smart drying techniques, providing practical information for the food industry.
Trash to treasure: Leveraging industrial waste to store energy
As more products begin to depend on battery-based energy storage systems, shifting away from metal-based solutions will be critical to facilitating the green energy transition. Now, a team has transformed an organic industrial-scale waste product into an efficient storage agent for sustainable energy solutions that can one day be applied at much larger scales.
Pluto-Charon formation scenario mimics Earth-Moon system
A researcher has used advanced models that indicate that the formation of Pluto and Charon may parallel that of the Earth-Moon system. Both systems include a moon that is a large fraction of the size of the main body, unlike other moons in the solar system. The scenario also could support Pluto's active geology and possible subsurface ocean, despite its location at the frozen edge of the solar system.
Scientists advance nanobody technology to combat deadly Ebola virus
Ebola virus, one of the deadliest pathogens, has a fatality rate of about 50%, posing a serious threat to global health and safety. To address this challenge, researchers have developed the first nanobody-based inhibitors targeting the Ebola virus.
Canceling effect of genetics and environmental changes on bacterial growth
Researchers conducted a high-throughput growth assay and machine learning to address the genetic and environmental interplay on bacterial growth. The findings indicated that the environmental chemicals affecting growth have varying impacts, depending on the amount of sugar present. Moreover, the research team demonstrated that the changes in growth caused by the genetic and environmental changes offset each other.
Key and lock: How important proteins 'dock' to the centromere
The centromere of chromosomes plays a crucial role in cell division. Using the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, an international team of researchers has investigated how two crucial proteins -- KNL2 and CENP-C -- dock to the centromere -- components which play a central role in this process.
Reducing irrigation for livestock feed crops is needed to save Great Salt Lake, study argues
The Great Salt Lake has lost more than 15 billion cubic yards of water over the past three decades, is getting shallower at the rate of 4 inches a year, and an analysis of its water budget suggests reducing irrigation is necessary for saving it.
Method can detect harmful salts forming in nuclear waste melters
A new way to identify salts in nuclear waste melters could help improve clean-up technology, including at the Hanford Site, one of the largest, most complex nuclear waste clean-up sites in the world. Researchers used two detectors to find thin layers of sulfate, chloride and fluoride salts during vitrification, a nuclear waste storage process that involves converting the waste into glass. The formation of salts can be problematic for waste processing and storage.
Exploring the eco-friendly future of antibiotic particles
Goji berries are a ubiquitous superfood known for a multitude of health benefits, including their antibiotic properties. Researchers have now found an effective way to harvest silver nanoparticles from these berries. They created the nanoparticles by drying, grinding, and then filtering the goji berries to create an extract. Then, they added chemical silver nitrate (AgNO3) and reduced the solution. The silver nanoparticles were confirmed using visualization techniques and tested for their antimicrobial activity.
Drug-resistant hookworms put pets and people at risk
Canine hookworms are becoming increasingly resistant to drugs across Australia, according to new research. Scientists have identified widespread resistance to benzimidazole-based dewormers which are commonly used to treat gastrointestinal parasites in dogs.
Ice patches on Beartooth Plateau reveal how ancient landscape differed from today's
Scientists say the frozen remnants of an ancient forest discovered 600 feet above the modern tree line on the Beartooth Plateau may portend possible changes for the alpine ecosystem if the climate continues to warm.
These 11 genes may help us better understand forever chemicals' effects on the brain
A new study has identified 11 genes that may hold the key to understanding the brain's response to these pervasive chemicals commonly found in everyday items.
Microplastics widespread in seafood people eat
The tiny particles that shed from clothing, packaging and other plastic products are winding up in the fish that people eat, highlighting a need for technologies and strategies to reduce microfiber pollution entering the environment.
Lead pollution likely caused widespread IQ declines in ancient Rome, new study finds
Lead exposure is responsible for a range of human health impacts, with even relatively low levels impacting the cognitive development of children. Scientists have previously used atmospheric pollution records preserved in Arctic ice cores to identify periods of lead pollution throughout the Roman Empire, and now new research expands on this finding to identify how this pollution may have affected the European population.
Efforts to reduce kids' screen time weakened by unequal access to green space
When children have a place to play outside, programs aimed at reducing their screen time use are more successful.
How we classify flood risk may give developers, home buyers a false sense of security
Traditional methods of communicating how likely an area is to flood focus on designating which zones are 'high risk.' This study suggests that this framing may give developers and homeowners a false sense of security when settling directly outside of 'high risk' zones, believing them to be safe. This phenomenon is known as the 'safe development paradox,' and results in an over-concentration of development right next to areas most likely to flood.
Climate change is accelerating forest defoliation by helping invasive species spread
Computer models predict that hotter, drier conditions in North America will limit the growth of a fungus that normally curbs the spread of the spongy moth, an invasive species that has caused millions of dollars in damage to forests.
A new way to determine whether a species will successfully invade an ecosystem
A formula can be used to predict what happens when a new species is introduced into an ecosystem -- whether it will establish itself in the community or fail to gain a foothold and die out.
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